[arl8]

Hi,

I'm just about to start keeping a few chickens in the garden.  Only two questions that I have left are:

Noise - Are they noisy? or are we talking the same level of noise a pigeon?  In other words will they be too noisy to keep in the garden, as they will annoy the neighbours?

Runs - I've got amply area for a run and housing.  I was going to buy a big fancy housing and run together, but its coming out to be around £500.  To save money I was just going to make my own run and buy a proper hen house.  I notice that most the runs have a roof or wire cover over the top?  Is it wise to have a run without a cover?  my fencing would be 4ft at least, but i've notice cats have been walking along the fence and therefore could get in.

If anyone could give me tips on what breeds of chickens are less noisy (if that exists that would be great)

regards,

andy.

[richyrich7]

Hi Andy welcome to the forums  

For noise have a look at this thread http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=7434

As for housing you could make your own, buy a 2nd hand shed nice easy conversion. I've got a covered run just to keep em in, I did have it open but they decided it was greener in the neighbours garden  :oops:  but at 4' high if you wing clip 'em they might not get up that high depending on the breed.
My cats are very wary of them, the hens soon chase a them off  if they get too close.

[arl8]

Thanks for the help rich.

Now one last thing - Bearing in mind the noise factor, is there one breed of chicken that a total novice like me should start with?

I'm not too fussed with egg production as there is only so many I can eat.  There seem to be lots of different breeds and cross breeds and i'd imagine they all have different characteristics.  

So should i go for one particular type, or have a mix, or just go for the three cutest ones??

Regards,

Andy.

[richyrich7]

Ooh err now your asking    probably everyone will have their own ideas, try reading this Thread and it's links for a start.

Dont buy a cockerel if you want quite !


I honestly don't have an answer for you on that one I've always kept hybrid laying hens which I found very easy to keep, pretty docile and sociable, but I've found they lay like crazy for the first laying year then after moult never seem to do much good, this could just be me, but I've got some Rhode Island Red x Light Sussex coming at the end of Sept and the breeder I'm getting them from said the hybrids tend to be an instant start bird but after that ? He seems to think these will lay for longer over more years but only time will tell.

Also depends where abouts in the country you are, you might want to add this to your profile to help others help you.

If after reading the above links you could try the search facility try "what breed" and tick the "search for all terms box". If not just feel free to post a new topic asking about breeds etc or you could just get the cutest  

[chickychick]

Just as one novice to another we collected our 4 chickens yesterday and I am amazed how quiet they are just the ocasional soft hoot and would certainly not bother any neighbour, you would be lucky to know they were there also we went to collect he birds yesterday from a woman who had litterally about 100 in the back garden and until we started trying to catch em they were really quiet you wouldnt have known they were there from the other side of the fence.

[arl8]

Thanks to everyone on this site for the great info.  Cant wait to get the wee critters.